Flying machine



June 22 1926 J. E. FOWLER FLYING'MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 22 1926.

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J. E. FOWLER FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JQE. Fowlei.

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Zlh HEHUNAU l IUD Patented June 22, 1926.

JOHN E. FOWLER, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application filed February 16, 1925. Serial No. 9,693.

The present invention relates to improvements in flying machines, and has for an object to provide an improved machine constructed and arranged for ascent and lighting from and to either the ground or water, and the invent-ion consists in certain improvements in the wing sustaining structure, the mechanism for tilting the wings and in certain improvements in the construction and in the method and mechanism for adjusting the rudder.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be described in detail hereinafter, and referred to more particularly in the sub-joined claims.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are referred to by the same reference characters, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of the complete flying machine constructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same.

Figure 3 is a front view of the improved machine.

Figure 4 is a side view with parts broken away and with the wings tilted.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken longitudinally through the median portion of the cabin and showing the wing controlling mechanism.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 also in Figure 6'.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through the rudder mechanism shown on the line 9-9 in Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a similar view with the rudder shown in a subsequent position of horizontal adjustment.

Figure 11 is also a similar section of the rudder mechanism showing a subsequent position. of vertical adjustment.

Figure 12 is a sectional View taken longitudinally through the rudder and its mechanism, as shown on the line 12-12 in Fig ure 9.

Figure 13 is a front elevation of an improved propeller.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the same with the blade shown in one position, and

Figure 15 is a similar view with the blades shown in another position.

Referring more particularly to the drawngs, 16 designates the body or cabin of the improved flying machine, which is preferably pointed fore and aft in order to meet and take advantage of wind resistance. The cabin may be constructed of any appropriate materials, and may be embodied in any desired shape and size to meet various condi tions in the handling of passengers, freight and the like. Just forwardly of the center of the cabin is the control compartment 17, in which are situated the left and right hand wheels 18 and 19 for controlling the vertical and horizontal adjustment of the rudder at the rear; and the large and small levers 20 and 21 for controlling the various angular positions of the two wings which extend out from the median portion of the cabin.

At a point slightly advanced in front of the center of the cabin are erected the side walls 22 and 23 for the two side wings which are carried by the plates 24 and 25. The plates are pivoted at their upper portions to upper parts of the walls as indicated at 26 in order that the entire wing structure may partake of an angular movement along a lateral axis of the flying machine. The wing structure includes the end plates 27, which are pivoted or hinged at their rear ends to the rear ends of the respective plates 24 and 25, and appropriate fastening means is secured along the front edges of the plates 27 and 24 and 25. I show a preferred form of fastening in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, but it is to be understood that I am not restricted to this arrangement as numerous forms of fastenings. may be employed. In the example shown, duplicate sets of eyes 30 and 31 are provided upon these plates, the eyes being intended to intermesh and to come into registry with one another so that pins or rods 32 may be passed through the same. Any appropriate locking means may be used for holding the rods in place.

The end plates 27 of the wings carry three or more planes 33, 34 and 35, which extend in parallelism and substantially horizontally outwardly from said plates. The lowermost wing 35 is curved upwardly and outwardly to join the outer ends of the intermediate and top planes whereby to reinforce the structure. Between the lowermost plane 35 and the intermediate plane 34 are sets of diagonally disposed planes 36 and 37 extending in reverse directions and being oined at their upper and lower ends to the planes and preferably, though not necessarily, to each other.

In a similar way, sets of diagonal planes 38 and 39 are mounted between the intermediate plane 34 and the topmost plane 33; this second set of diagonal planes being preferably arranged as continuations of the lower set. Above the uppermost plane 33 are further sets of diagonal planes 40 and 41, which join at their lower ends to the upper surface of the top plane, and meet in apexes above. These diagonal planes also extend substantially in alinement with the diagonal planes below so that in effect there are several diagonal planes of extensive area extending in both directions and intersecting the horizontal planes. Both the horizontal and diagonal planes are preferably cambered or are so made of a concavo-convex construction with the undersides thereof presenting the concavities whereby to receive the air forced thereagainst by the propellers 42 situated in front of the wings and being driven by the motors indicated at 43. The propellers operate in slots 44 made between the front and back running boards 45 and 46. The running boards serve to increase the strength and stability of the wings, and they afford access to the motors. Preferably three motors are attached to each wing, and the cellular construction of the wings made by the intersection of the various planes is so arranged and constructed as to present open spaces to the three propellers whereby the air driven through the wing by said propellers will react on the concave under surfaces of the various planes composing the wing with the result that a lifting efiect will be secured and this lifting effect will be magnified due to the great number of the propellers. The arrangement is serviceable in launching the machine.

In addition, the cells of the wings may be subdivided by other plane surfaces 47 and 48 as indicated in Figure 3, these plane surfaces being also arranged diagonally and between the horizontal and adjacent previously mentioned diagonal planes. These sub divided smaller plane surfaces may also be concave on their under sides in order to react with the air as above described.

The lower outer portion of each wing is provided with a skate or shoe 49 projecting beyond the wing structure and inclined upwardly to take upon the surface of the water. These skates or shoes are hinged as indicated at 50 to the forward edge of the lower.

plane 35, and are provided with a bellows 51 in order to cushion the impact of the skate or shoe against the surface of the water.

The wings on both sides of the flying machine are adapted to tilt angularly about the pivots 26 of the. plates, and this movement in the wings is controlled by the hand levers 20 and 21 in the steering or control compartment.

Both levers are substantially U-shaped or in the form of a yoke, having the intermediate horizontal bars for convenience in grasping, and substantially vertical side arms 52 and 53 (see Figures 6, 7 and 8). The outer lever is intended to embrace and encompass the inner lever and the horizontal bars of the levers will be located close to one another for simultaneous operation. The long arms 52 of the larger lever are fulcrumed at their lower ends upon a pivot pin 54 extending through the stationary beams 55, which lie longitudinally of the cabin and substantially at the base thereof. The shorter arms 53 of the smaller lever are provided with the right angular bearing trunnions 56 extend.- ing through the larger arms 52 above their pivoted points and also through the sliding blocks 57. These sliding blocks extend parallel with the links 58, which are coupled at their forward ends to the crank arms 59 and 60 provided at the outer ends of the trimnions 56. As shown in Figure 8, the crank arms 59 and 60 extend in reverse directions, and the smaller lever is for the purpose of communicating angular movements in opposite directions to the two wings of the flying machine, while the larger lever 20 will tilt both the wings in the same direction at the same time. It will be un derstood that movement of the smaller lever 21, while the larger lever 20 is held stationary, will cause longitudinal movement in opposite directions of the links 58. In a similar way movement of the larger lever which carries the smaller lever will cause shifting of these same links 58, but in the same longitudinal direction. The sliding blocks 57 are provided with slots 61, playingv about bolts or pins 62 projecting out from the links 58. This construction is for the purpose of permitting a differential movement in the blocks and links and to sustain the rear ends of the blocks.

The rear ends of the links extend rearwardly of the blocks and are coupled to the levers 63 pivoted at their upper ends 64 to the side walls, which support the wings. A pivoted joint 65 is made between the lower ends of these levers 63 and the rear ends of the links 58. Vertical slots 66 are provided in the levers 63 to receive the bolts or pins 67 projecting out from the plates 22 and 23. In the side walls are formed arcu.-'

ate slots 68 for the movement of the pins 67.

Referring now more particularly to the rudder and its operating mechanism shown in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, the rudder itself is made up of a box like structure comprising the upper and lower plates 69 and 70, and the side connecting plates 71 and 72.

The side plates are preferably of less 244. AERONAUTIGS height than the width of the top and bottom plates, and the plates combine to enclose a substantially rectangular space for the passage of the air. This space or cell is preferably sub-divided by intersecting plane surfaces 73 and 74, which join with the bottom wall and side walls at respectively the outer and lower edges thereof, and which meet at their upper ends and are joined to the middle portion or the top wall 69. This structure provides substantially three spaces, triangular in cross section, for the passage of the air currents, and it reinforces the rudder both longitudinally and transverse 1y. The rudder so formed is swivelly mounted for pivotal movement in both vertical and horizontal planes. The movement of the rudder is a universal movement, and for this purpose a beam 75 is secured to the under side of the bottom portion of the rudder running longitudinally thereof, and having forwardly of its central part, a piv- 0t 76 extending therethrough and through the block 77 carried in the horizontal pivots 7 8 supported upon the brackets 7 9 from the tail piece of the machine. The pivots 78 lie at substantially right angles to the pivot 76 so that a universal movement is permitted the rudder.

From the forward end of the rudder or from the beam 7 5 extends an operating arm 89 which enters the rear or tail portion of the machine, and has a forwardly extending end 81 lying through the central portions of the two horizontal and vertically slidable links 82 and 83. The vertical link 82 has eyes 84 at its upper and lower ends for sliding on the upper and lower bars 85 and 86. In a similar manner eyes 87 are provided upon the ends of the horizontal link 83 for sliding movement on the guide bars 88 and 89, which extend in a vertical direction. The mechanism is housed in the tail portion of the cabin, and a slot 90 is provided in the top portion of the tail piece to permit of the free movement of the arm 80.

The movement of the links is controlled by the hand wheels 18 and 19 in the control compartment, and for this purpose, these hand wheels are mounted upon the drums 91 and 92 journaled in appropriate parts of the frame work of the machine. In Figures 5 and 6 are shown how cables are wound on these drums. As respects the drum 91, four cables 93, 93", 94 and 94 are wound on the fore and rear portions of the drum, and these cables are carried over appropriate pulleys to the tail portion of the cabin, and are connected from opposite directions to the horizontal link 83. The cables 93 and 9 1 are shown in Figure 9 to train over pulleys so as to connect with the top portion of the horizontal link and to have the effect to lift this link when the drum in the control section is turned in one direction. In this same Figure 9, the other cables 93 and 94 are shown to be passed over pulleys and connect with the lower side of the horizontal link 83 whereby on rotation of the drum in the direction just referred to, the cable will be payed out to admit of the vertical adjustment of said link On reverse rotation of said drum 91, the link will be shifted in an opposite direction, and the cables 93 and 94: payed out on the drum, and the cables 93 and 94 v mind on the drum whereby to pull the horizontal link downwardly. Movement of this link up and down will, through the arm 80, cause similar shifting of the rudder in a vertical plane.

The other drum 92 is provided with cables 95, 95, 96 and 96 which are trained over pulleys and carried to the rear of the cabin where such cables come from opposite sides and are connected to the vertical link 82. These cables are wound in opposite directions upon the drum 92, and when such drum is rotated in one direction by its hand wheel 19, two of such cables will be wound on the drum exerting a pull to one side on the vertical link 82 while the other cables are payed out permitting of this movement.

The movement of the vertical link will cause horizontal turning movement in the rudder, and through the medium of the two drums and arrangement of eight cables, the rudder may be caused to assume any posltion of vertical or horizontal angular adjustment. The steering of the flying machine may be thus expeditiously effected, and the length of the rudder and its cellular characteri makes the device very sensitive. This, in combination with the tilting arrangement of the wings, secures a flying machine which is very sensitive to the controls.

The side walls 22 and 23, which support the wings, extend above the cabin and are connected at their upper ends by the connecting plane 97, forming an enclosed space between this plane and the top of the cabin. In this space are arranged the diagonal planes 98 and 99 diverging downwardly, and connected at their upper ends to each other and to the intermediate portion of the top plane 96. The lower spread ends of the diagonal planes may be secured to the cabin, and also, if desired, to the side walls. This arrangement provides further sustaining planes and a cellular structure comporting with the cellular structure of the wings and the rudder.

For purposes of launching the machine from the ground and to assist in alighting the cabin is provided with ground wheels 100. These ground wheels are preferably located at the central part of the machine where the weight of the wings devolves, and such wings are preferably carried upon the Hill pivot arms 101, and are pressed downwardly by the coil springs 102, which extend about the rods 103. The wheels fit up within housings 10 1, which are similar to the center board arrangement of a boat.

Pilot wheels 105 and 106 are mounted at the front and rear ends of the cabin in order to come in contact with the ground upon any rocking movement in the machine.

Referring more partieuarly to Figures 13, 14 and 15, an improved form of propeller is shown as mounted upon the engine or pro peller shaft 107. The propeller is shown as consisting of two vanes or blades extending in diametrically opposite directions from the shaft. The blade is composed of a number of sheets or laminations, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, three such sheets or laminations 108, 109 and 110. These laminations are secured at their forward ends, with reference to the direction of rotation of the propeller, to plates 111 and 112 extending in diametrically opposite directions from the propeller shaft. The sheets or laminations are of spring steel or other elastic material, and the same are graduated in width from the outermost plate 108 to the innermost 110. The plates 108 and 109 act as backings for the plate 110, which is curved inwardly at its free end. The free end of the intermediate plate may also be curved to some extent if desired, and in a similar way the free end of the outermost plate may partake to some extent of this curvature and the entire assembly of sheets or laminations may partake of a gentle curvature rearwardly, which develops into a more accentuated curvature at the free end of the innermost plate 110.

Referring again to the levers for tilting the wings, both these levers are preferably supplied with some locking device for holding the same in adjusted position. For instance, the large lever 20 is provided with a spring pressed pawl 113 normally moved by the resilient action of the spring into contact with a curved toothed rack 114: carried by some fixed part of the cabin.

In a similar way the smaller lever 21 carries a spring pressed pawl 115 cooperating with the curved rack 116, which is aflixed to one of the sliding blocks 57.

In the operation of the invention, the flying machine will be adapted to ascend from either the surface of the water or from the ground, and the several motors on the wings are initially started. The operator takes up his position in the control compartment of the cabin where he will have free access to the levers and hand wheels. The motor controls are also arranged at a point convenient to the drivers hand, as is the custom.

The motors in driving the propellers will initially create forced drafts through the cellular structures of the wings, and due to the impingement of the air currents against the concave inner surfaces of the various plane surfaces, a strong lifting effect will be developed, which will shorten the distance the flying machine must travel on the surface before taking to the air. This lifting effect will also greatly increase the capacity of the flying machine.

In starting the ascent, the large lever 20 is manipulated to tilt the wings so that their forward edges incline upwardly to the desired extent, taking into account the condition of the air and wind. This will initiate lifting of the flying machine from the ground. This position of the planes will cause the nose to lift into the air above the tail part of the machine. Of course, this ascending effect is-considerably increased by the adjustment of the rudder through the hand wheels. The forward part of the rudder is dipped downwardly while the rear part is raised. The air rushing through the various cells of the rudder will react on the plane surface thereof throughout the large area of said rudder, and assist materially in this raising effect of the machine from the ground or water.

Inasmuch as the motors and the propellers are carried by the wing structure, they will also participate in the tilting movement of such wing structure, and the inclination at which the vanes are adjusted will tend to pull the machine upwardly. These several arrangements will insure the early lifting of the machine from the ground without regard to the load carried thereby.

During the course of flight of the machine, the operator will, of course, have resort to the various hand wheels to adjust the rudder both horizontally and vertically, and the direction of the machine will be largely controlled by this rudder during the flight above the ground. However, the wings may also be tilted either upwardly or downwardly about their pivoted points to aid in the movement. In making turns, it is desirable to tilt one wing in one direction and another in a opposite direction, and to accomplish this, the operator will have to resort to the smaller lever 21, while the larger lever 20 remains stationary. The angle to which the wings are tilted will, of course, vary with conditions and requirements encountered at the time.

In alighting, the tilting movement of the wings is of considerable value, as it will cushion the descent of the machine particularly close to the ground, and enable the operator to make a gentle descent and a short stop. No considerable run way is necessary for the machine either in ascending or alighting, and due to the gentleness with which the machine may be broughtdown, greater loads can be carried than were heretofore considered safe.

In alighting upon the water, the skates or shoes at the side will slide along the surface of the water and maintain the wings thereabove, while also assisting to balance the machine.

When the machine is to be put into a hangar or garage, the side wings may be folded back flat against the cabin so as to economize space.

When the propeller and motor are not running, the blades of the propeller are curved, similar to Figure 14. Then, when the motor is started, the faster the motor runs, the more the blades straighten out, and when the motor is running at full speed, and the flying machine standing still, the blades are the straightest, but as the machine begins to move forward, the faster the speed of the flying machine, the more the blades begin to curve. When the machine attains a speed of say one hundred miles an hour, the blades will assume a curvature approaching their normal condition. The purpose of the arrangement is to give greater pulling effect in the propeller with less speed in the motor, when going at a fast speed, in order to reduce wear in the motor. By the reduced speed of the motor, the noise usually attended therewith, is largely eliminated.

The skates or shoes serve not only for sustaining the wings in water,-but in the air they also act as plane surfaces to assist in supporting the flying machine.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flying machine comprising a cabin and supporting wlngs therefor, each com-' posed of upper, lower and intermediate horizontal planes, the lower plane being curved upwardly at its outer end to meet and join with the outer ends of the intermediate and upper planes, diagonal planes intersecting said horizontal planes and joined therewith, and propellers arranged in front of said wings. mi?

2. A flying machine comprising a cabin, supporting wings therefor, each composed of lower, intermediate and upper horizontal planes with the lower planes curved upward- 55 ly at its outer end to join with the outer ends of the intermediate and upper planes, skates secured beneath the lower outer portion of said lower planes, intersecting diagonal planes joined with the horizontal planes, and propellers in front of said planes.

3. A flying machine comprising a cabin, wings pivotally connected with the cabin for independent angular movement, means whereby said wings may be adjusted angularly in the same direction, and a second means carried by the first named means and adapted to be operated independently of said first named means for adjusting the planes in opposite directions.

4. A flying machine comprising a cabin, wings pivoted thereto, a pair of levers in the cabin, one of said levers being carried by the other lever, and connections between said levers and the wings whereby the wings may be adjusted angularly in the same or in relatively opposite directions.

5. A flying machine comprising a cabin, wings pivoted thereto, large and small levers in the cabin, said small lever being carried pivotally by the large lever, link connections from said large lever to the wings for moving the same in the same pivotal direction,

and oppositely disposed cranks on said small lever connecting with said links for moving the links and planes in relatively opposite direction on manipulation of said small lever.

6. A flying machine comprising a cabin, wings pivoted thereto, large and small control levers in said cabin, said small control lever being pivotally carried by the large lever, links coupled to said large lever and to the wings, crank arms on the small lever extending in opposite directions and also coupled to said links, blocks coupled to said large lever but unconnected with the cranks of the small lever, a fixed rack in the cabin for latching the large lever, and a movable rack carried by said blocks for latching the smaller lever.

JOHN E. FOWLER. 

